Butler or Cupbearer

BUTLER or CUPBEARER. These two Eng. terms are one in Heb., מַשְׁקֶה, H5482. The term butler is used in the Joseph story, but cupbearer is used of Solomon’s officials, and is the term in Nehemiah’s writings. In Genesis 40:2 it is the chief butler of Pharaoh and in Genesis 40:21 it is said that this chief butler actually put the cup into Pharaoh’s hand. The literal meaning of the Heb. is “one who gives another a drink.” These Egyp. cupbearers seem to have been of various rating and some were of high political power. The tomb paintings of Egypt show these officials at work.